Accreditation – Verification that an institution meets quality standards

ACT Test – Entrance exam required by colleges and universities. Includes a science section and tests higher level math compared to the SAT exam.

AP Test – Advanced Placement Test given to high school students who want to earn college credits, while still in high school

Assessment – Some states require this evaluation to demonstrate student’s progress. Many homeschoolers use this test to develop and implement unique teaching strategies for future lessons.

Auditory learner – When a student absorbs the information better by listening and speaking.

Bernoulli’s equation – Velocity and static pressure of movement.

Charlotte Mason – This method believes in educating the person as a whole and not just the mind. Expose children to living books, music, art, and poetry.

Common Core – Created in 2010 to bring the education system of all states into alignment. It is meant to create high-quality education.

Concept Mapping – This is a graphical representation used to reorganize information and recognize the connection between concepts.

CO-OP – When homeschool families get together and each parent teaches a specific subject.

Correspondence School – Homeschooler learn at home, but have guidance from the school.

Counselor – Guidance counselors provide assistance in choosing curriculum and preparing students for college.

Cover School – Also known as umbrella school

CPALMS – Interactive tool to help implement teaching guidelines.

Diagnostic test – Identifies previous knowledge and detects areas that need reinforcement or intervention.

Diploma – Confers that a student has completed high school. Parent generated diploma are not always accepted by universities.

Distance Learning – Classes are conducted online. Homeschoolers can choose to take a few online classes through accredited institutions.

Dual Enrollment – When homeschoolers take college classes and earn credits while still in high school. The program is free for homeschoolers.

Duke Tip Talent Search – Duke University’s talent identification program identifies students who are scholastically gifted.

Eclectic Curriculum – Individualized education where parents combine different resources.

Electives – Classes that are outside of the main curriculum.

Enrichment program – This program includes activities, outside of the main curriculum, which give students the opportunity to explore their interests.

EOC test – End of the year tests required by the public schools and available to homeschoolers who take online classes from state virtual schools.

FCAT – This is a Florida assessment test given annually to public school students, which is available to homeschoolers. 

Flashcards – Learning tool to learn facts. Pictures can be used for visual learners.

Formative Assessment – Identifies gaps and assesses student’s knowledge

GED – Equivalent to a high school diploma, but not viewed as a good replacement by universities.

GPA – Grade point average is the average of the accumulated final grades.

Homeschool Convention – A gathering of parents, students, vendor, and speakers.

Honor Society –An organization that recognizes high school students who excel academically.

HSLDA – Home School Legal Defense Office protects homeschoolers’ rights.

IOWA Test – Nationally normed standardized test. This test compares students’ abilities across the country, from private schools to homeschoolers. 

Kinesthetic Learning – Tactile learners absorb information through touching.

Knuckle Mnemonic – Is a memory aid for remembering how many days each month has.

Learning Styles – The most popular modalities are kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.

Letter of Intent – A letter used to notify the department of education of your intention to homeschool.

Mastery Approach – The mastery approach requires complete understanding of a concept before moving on to a new topic.  

Mnemonics – Mnemonics are simple strategies that can be used to aid information retention.

No Child Left Behind Act – Created to set high standards and measurable goals to improve education. 

Parenting Styles – Authoritarian, permissive, authoritative, and uninvolved.

Piaget Theory – Defines the four stages of children’s cognitive development.

PIAT Test – The Peabody Individual Achievement Testing is individually administered by a trained examiner. Homeschooler can choose this oral test or written tests.

PISA – The Program for International Student Assessment tests high school students around the world

Placement Test – Tests students’ academic skills to determine appropriate courses or classes

Portfolio – A portfolio documents student’s education choices and educational progress.

SACs accreditation – Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditations, which monitors and evaluates schools.

SAT – Universities require students to take the SAT or ACT exam to be admitted into an undergraduate program.

Shadowing – Job shadowing offers hands-on experience to explore different fields

Spiral Approach- The spiral method introduces a topic and moves on to a new theme, even if students did not master the concept.

Star System – A calendar system where children earn a sticker when making the right choices. Stars can be exchanged for extra video game time or anything listed on the fun activity list.

Summative assessment – Graded tests administered by teachers at the end of each lesson

Sunshine Standards – Now known as Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) defines  what students need to learn from first through twelfth grade.

Supplementing –Augment student’s education or provide remedial work.

Support Group – Provides opportunities for socialization, monthly meetings, yearbook, co-ops, proms, science fairs, and standardized tests.

Trade School – Trade schools teach skills related to jobs, such as welding or plumbing. This is a great option for a reluctant learner who wants to get into the job market faster.

Traditional School – Teacher- centered education, where instruction is delivered to a group of students in a school setting.

Transcript – Lays out student’s courses, grades and GPA. It is used to determine eligibility for university’s admission.

Umbrella School (cover school) – The definition varies from school to school. They may offer standardized tests, define curriculum, and field trips. Others may just offer support and the student is still considered a homeschooler.

VAK Learning Style – VAK learning style uses visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning strategies.

Virtual School – Online instruction offered by private and public schools.

Visual Learner – One of the three learning styles. Students prefer to learn with pictures, maps, educational shows, or any other visual media.